BJP demands Dhananjay Munde's resignation, EC action for withholding info

Mumbai: Nationalist Congress Party leader and social justice minister in the Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government Dhananjay Munde is facing turbulent times after a woman brought up rape charges against him. Munde’s defence on social media that it was a blackmailing attempt by the victim, who is the sister of his currently estranged second wife, invited more troubles for him.
The BJP in Maharashtra has asked for Munde’s resignation and also asked the state election commission to take action against him for withholding the information about his second wife in his election affidavit. While state BJP chief Chandrakant Patil said that Munde should be asked to resign as a minister, another leader Kirit Somaiya wrote a letter to the Election Commission 'seeking appropriate action' against him for not disclosing details of his second wife and children in the affidavit.

The Nationalist Congress Party is however backing its minister as of now, with state NCP chief and minister Jayant Patil saying, “These are only allegations against him. He has given his clarification in this regard. This is his family issue. It takes years for one to get established in politics and so without investigating the incident, it would be unfair to finish off someone’s career.” He added, “Munde has also filed a case in the court, the matter is sub judice. Till the judiciary gives a verdict or till the investigation is done in the case, we can’t take any decision in haste.” The social justice minister has accused his second wife’s family for the blackmailing attempt.

Meanwhile, there is another NCP minister in the news - minority affairs minister Nawab Malik’s son in-law Sameer Khan was questioned by the Narcotics Control Bureau in the drugs case involving the film industry. The NCB has questioned Khan in connection with some alleged payments made to one drug peddler Karan Sajnani, who has been arrested by the NCB in connection with drugs allegedly seized from his home.